Imagine a bite-sized culinary masterpiece that transports you straight to the sun-drenched hills of Italy with every crisp, flavor-packed mouthful. Our Tomato Basil Mozzarella Bruschetta isn't just a recipe—it's a sensory experience that combines the vibrant freshness of ripe cherry tomatoes, the creamy richness of mozzarella, and the aromatic magic of fresh basil. Whether you're hosting a sophisticated dinner party or craving a quick gourmet snack, this bruschetta promises to elevate your cooking game and impress even the most discerning food lovers.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 20 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 French baguette
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, diced
- 1 cup fresh mozzarella, diced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for toasting the bread.
- Slice the French baguette diagonally into 1/2-inch thick pieces, creating uniform bruschetta bases.
- Arrange baguette slices on a large baking sheet and lightly brush each slice with olive oil on both sides.
- Toast the bread in the preheated oven for 5-7 minutes until edges are golden and crisp, turning once midway to ensure even browning.
- While bread is toasting, dice cherry tomatoes into small, uniform pieces and place in a medium mixing bowl.
- Cut fresh mozzarella into small cubes, roughly the same size as the tomato pieces.
- Finely chop fresh basil leaves, reserving a few whole leaves for garnish.
- In the bowl with tomatoes, add diced mozzarella, chopped basil, balsamic vinegar, remaining olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Gently mix the tomato mixture, ensuring ingredients are evenly distributed without breaking the cheese.
- Remove toasted bread from oven and let cool for 2-3 minutes to prevent burning.
- Spoon the tomato-mozzarella mixture generously over each toasted baguette slice.
- Garnish with reserved whole basil leaves and an extra drizzle of balsamic vinegar if desired.
- Serve immediately while bread is still warm and topping is fresh.
Tips
- Choose quality ingredients: Use fresh, ripe cherry tomatoes and high-quality mozzarella for the best flavor.
- Toast bread carefully: Watch your baguette slices closely to achieve a golden, crisp texture without burning.
- Let ingredients marinate: Allow the tomato mixture to sit for 5-10 minutes before serving to enhance flavor melding.
- Serve immediately: Bruschetta is best enjoyed fresh, so prepare just before serving to maintain bread's crispness.
- Experiment with variations: Try adding a garlic rub on the toasted bread or sprinkle some red pepper flakes for extra kick.
- Room temperature ingredients: Ensure mozzarella and tomatoes are at room temperature to maximize flavor profile.
- Don't overdress: Use balsamic and olive oil sparingly to prevent soggy bread.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 283kcal
Carbohydrates: 30g
Protein: 11g
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 20mg
